Chain transport system with add-on components

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a chain-transport system containing chain links ( 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 , . . . ) which are strung together and adjacent chain links ( 10 - 20, 20 - 30, 30 - 40, 40 - 50 , . . . ) being rotatably joined together about an axis of rotation ( 11, 21, 31, 41, 51 ) common to one of the two chain links and all of the axes of rotation ( 11, 21, 31, 41, 51 , . . . ) in the chain-transport system running parallel to each other. At least some of the chain links ( 10, 50, 90 , . . . ) are adapted ( 10 - 12, 50 - 52, 90 - 92 , . . . ) in such a way that respectively one add-on component ( 13, 53, 93 ) can be attached thereto. According to the invention, attachment of the respective component ( 13, 53, 93 , . . . ) to the respective adapted chain link ( 10 - 12, 50 - 52, 90 - 92 , . . . ) occurs in the form of a positive fit connection between a connecting area ( 13   a,    13   b,    13   c , . . . ) of the add-on component ( 13 , . . . ) and a connecting area ( 12   a,    12   b,    12   c , . . . ) of the adapted chain link ( 10 - 12 , . . . ). The invention also relates to a system for securing add-on components to a transport chain, whereby an add-on component ( 13, 53, 93 , . . . ) is secured to each respectively selected chain link ( 10, 50, 90 , . . . ). According to the invention, the respective add-on component ( 13, 53, 93 , . . . ) is secured to the respective selected chain link ( 10, 50, 90 , . . . ) with the aid of an adapter ( 12, 52, 92 , . . . ).

The invention relates to a chain transporter system with mounting parts in accordance with the preamble of claim 1, and to a system for securing mounting parts to a transporter chain in accordance with the preamble of claim 16.

Chain transporter systems of such kind, having specially conformed mounting parts are used in industry in many production processes. Such a system is used particularly with vertical chain transporters for shells filled with chocolate or similar fillings. The specially designed mounting parts may be, for example, angle elements made from aluminium that are attached to selected chain links of a roller chain.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show a known system for attaching mounting parts to a transporter chain, particularly for attaching aluminium angle elements 13′, 53′, 93′ to selected chain links 10, 50, 90 of a transporter chain. In this arrangement, aluminium angle elements 13′ are screwed to the roller chain, i.e. to link plates 12 a′ and 12 b′ on either side thereof using countersunk screws 16, 17. For the screwed connection of angle elements 13′, 53′, 93′, these had to be marked, drilled and then countersunk at each screwing position. These processing steps are very time consuming and thus also costly.

The object was therefore defined to provide a system of attaching mounting parts to a transporter chain, particularly for securing aluminium angle elements to a roller chain, which permits the rapid and thus cost-saving attachment of the mounting parts to the chain links of a transporter chain.

This task is solved by the chain transporter system in accordance with claim 1 and by the system for securing mounting parts to a transporter chain in accordance with claim 16.

The chain transporter system according to the invention includes specially adapted chain links and link pins, wherein a positive connection is enabled between a connection area of the mounting part and a connection area of the adapted chain link and link pin.

The system according to the invention for securing mounting parts to a transporter chain uses specially conformed adapter elements, by means of which the respective mounting parts are attached to the respective selected chain link.

Further advantageous embodiments of the chain transporter system according to the invention and the system for securing mounting parts to a transporter chain according to the invention are described in subordinate claims 2 to 15 and subordinate claims 17 to 29 respectively.

Further advantages, features and application possibilities of the invention will become evident from the following description of a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are a side view and a plan view respectively of a known chain transporter system.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are a side view and a plan view respectively of the chain transporter system according to the invention with the system for securing mounting parts to a transporter chain according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the adapter element according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the adapter element according to the invention of FIG. 3 in the direction of arrow A;

FIG. 5 is a side view showing the attachment according to the invention of the adapter element to the mounting part;

FIG. 6 is a front view showing the attachment according to the invention of a selected chain link to the adapter element according to the invention.

FIG. 1A shows a section of a conventional transporter chain with chain links 10, 20, 30, . . . , 90, which extend along a chain's longitudinal direction K. Some selected chain links 10, 50, 90 from the chain section represented are furnished with adapter elements 12′, 52′ and 92′, to each of which a mounting part 13′, 53′ and 93′ is attached.

FIG. 1B shows a plan view of the chain section of FIG. 1A. Adapter elements 12′, 52′ and 92′ of selected chain links 10, 50 and 90 are each furnished with a pair of link plates 12 a′, 12 b′, 52 a′, 52 b′ and 92 a′, 92 b′, which extend away from the transporter chain on either side thereof. Each of mounting parts 13′, 53′ and 93′ (FIG. 1A), is secured to the corresponding adapter element 12′, 52′ and 92′ using countersunk screws 16 and 17.

FIG. 2A, is a side view of a section of the chain transporter system according to the invention, equipped with the system according to the invention for securing mounting parts to the transporter chain. The section shown includes chain links 10, 20, 30, . . . , 90, wherein for example chain links 10, 50 and 90 are specially conformed chain links in that they are connected to an adapter element 12, 52 and 92. The chain is preferably constructed with extended pins in its entirety, i.e. on all chain links, so that the adapter element may be inserted at any position. Adapter element 12, 52 and 92 is attached to the associated chain link 10, 50 and 90 via a latching or clamping connection (see FIG. 6). The corresponding mounting part 13, 53 and 93 is also attached to the corresponding adapter element 12, 52 and 92 via a latching or clamping connection (see FIG. 5), wherein a connection area of each mounting part 13, 53, 93 engages both positively and negatively with a connection area conformed as a counterpart recess of corresponding adapter element 12, 52 and 92.

FIG. 2B is a plan view the section of the transporter chain of FIG. 2A. The three mounting parts 13, 53 and 93 shown, which are fitted into the corresponding recess of the respective adapter element 12, 52 and 92 with both and negative engagement, are aluminium angle elements. The material from which adapter elements 12, 52 and 92 are made is preferably an elastic plastic. It is important that the material of the adapter element is elastically deformable when mounting parts 13, 53 and 93 are pressed into the respective adapter elements 12, 52 and 92, so that above a given pressure point the mounting parts can be pressed into the recess of the adapter element, whereupon the positively and negatively engaged connection is created between mounting parts 13, 53 and 93 and the corresponding adapter elements 12, 52 and 92. The same material deformation of adapter elements 12, 52 and 92 is also essential for producing the positively and negatively engaged connection between chain links 10, 50 and 90 and the corresponding adapter elements 12, 52 and 92.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the adapter element 12 according to the invention. It serves as an adapter between a selected chain link 10 and a mounting part 13 to be attached to chain link 10. The upper area of adapter element 12 is attachment area 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, which is conformed as a recess to accommodate the corresponding counterpart attachment area of mounting part 13 (FIG. 5).

The attachment area is a groove-type recess in the upper part of adapter element 12, wherein the groove has a clearance ‘a’. On one wall of the groove is an undercut 12 a, which is conformed as a concave rounding having undercut depth ‘t’. In the middle of the floor of the recess is a prominence 12 c, and on the other wall of the groove is an undercut 12 b opposite to undercut 12 a. Similarly, a borehole may also be provided, which serves to accommodate a stop boss in mounting part 13. Surfaces 12 d and 12 e on both sides of the recess lie on the same plane. The surface above undercut 12 a is furnished with a convex rounding 12 f. A transition area 12 g is configured between the concave rounding serving as undercut 12 a and the convex rounding 12 f, which transition area protrudes farthest into the groove. Adapter element 12 further includes recesses and boreholes 12 k, which are provided on the inside of legs 12 i and 12 j (FIG. 4, FIG. 6) of adapter element 12.

FIG. 4 is a view of adapter element 12 of FIG. 3 along arrow A. The cross-section of adapter element 12 perpendicular to direction A is essentially U-shaped with a crosspiece 12 a and two legs 12 i and 12 j, which extend parallel to each other and perpendicularly to the crosspiece 12 a. The two recesses or holes 12 k on the insides of legs 12 i and 12 j in the positive locking engagement with the corresponding selected chain link 10 (see FIG. 6).

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the process of connecting a mounting part 13 according to the invention with an adapter element 12 according to the invention and thus also to a chain link 10 fitted with the adapter element 12 according to the invention.

FIG. 5 shows the mounting part 13 according to the invention, which includes a first angled leg with a first extension 13 a, a second extension 13 b and a depression 13 c, and a second angled leg 13 d. Instead of depression 13 c, a stop boss may also be provided. Angle γ between the first angled leg and the second angled leg is 90°. If the first angled leg of mounting part 13 according to the invention is now twisted from above into the recess in adapter element 12 as indicated by arrow A, convex rounding 13 a of mounting part 13 slides along convex rounding 12 f of the adapter element, which causes increasing elastic deformation of adapter element 12.

It is crucial that clearance ‘a’ (see FIG. 3) in the groove-type depression of adapter element 12 is flared progressively, such that the contact point with convex rounding 13 a of mounting part 13 is displaced downward as mounting parts 13, 53 and 93 are pushed into respective adapter elements 12, 52 and 92, so that the mounting parts may be pressed into the recess of the adapter elements above a given pressure point.

The groove is flared because convex rounding 13 a of mounting part 13 slides along convex rounding 12 f of adapter element 12 as mounting part 13 is pressed into adapter element 12, and the line of contact between convex rounding 13 a and convex rounding 12 f is displaced downwards until it is located in transition area 12 g between convex rounding 12 f and concave rounding 12 a of adapter element 12. Now the maximum pressure point has been reached. With further insertion pressure the elastically flared groove snaps together above extensions 13 a and 13 b, which causes mounting part 13 to be slid into the positively locking position by the elastic potential energy. For an especially secure positive lock between mounting part 13 and adapter element 12, it is particularly important that mounting part 13 have a much greater modulus of elasticity than the adapter element 12 designed to accommodate it. In other words, mounting part 13 should be essentially rigid for all practical purposes, whereas the reception part is less rigid and more easily elastically deformable. Then as soon as the rigid mounting part 13 is locked into the recess of the adapter element 12, the elastic deformation thereof is prevented due to blocking by the floor surface of the groove-type recess in the adapter element, and consequently much greater force is required to disengage the mounting part from adapter element 12 than the pressure used to insert it. In order to prevent mounting part 13 from slipping sideways out of the groove in adapter element 12, a projection 12 c is provided on the floor of the groove and is engaged in a counterpart depression 13 c on the first angled leg of mounting part 13. Instead of the projection 12 c, a hole may also be provided with which a boss stop may create a positive locking arrangement.

The recess in adapter element 12 designed to seat the first angled leg is preferably constructed somewhat smaller than the precise counterpart form of the first angled leg of mounting part 13, so that a slight elastic flaring of the groove is still possible even after engagement, as a result of which a significant frictional engagement is present between mounting part 13 and adapter element 12 in addition to the purely positive locking engagement.

FIG. 6 shows a situation similar to FIG. 5. Adapter element 12 is displaced in the direction of arrow A over chain link 10, and laterally projecting pins 14 and 15 of chain link 10 are flush with inclined surfaces 12 l on the inside of legs 12 i and 12 j. If adapter element 12 is now pushed further onto chain link 10, the two legs 12 i and 12 j are flared progressively due to the projecting pins 14 and 15 being forced against inclined surfaces 12 l, which in turn exerts increasing pressure on adapter element 12 until a maximum pressure point is reached. This pressure point is then exceeded when the two projecting pins 14 and 15 of chain link 10 engage with the recesses or holes 12 k on the inside of legs 12 i and 12 j, thereby creating a positively fitted connection between adapter element 12 and chain link 10. Here too, it is advantageous if the U-shape consisting of legs 12 i and 12 j designed to accommodate chain link 10 with its two projecting pins 14 and 15 is dimensioned somewhat smaller than would create an exact form fit, so that here too a friction lock is created between adapter element 12 and chain link 10 in addition to the purely positive locking engagement.

Of course the invention is not limited to the embodiment described. Thus, for example, latching areas might also be conformed at the ends of legs 12 i, 12 j of adapter element 12, so that after the positively and negatively locking engagement has been established with chain link 10, as retaining clip (not shown) might be applied between the two legs 12 i and 12 j, with corresponding means of engagement with the ends of the legs, thereby providing additional stabilisation of the U-shaped adapter element 12, thus also ensuring extra protection for the connection between adapter element 12 and chain link 10. In addition, a specially adapted one-piece chain link may be used instead of the locking connection between chain link 10 and adapter element 12, and which may be integrated therewith when the roller chain is assembled. 

1. A chain transporter system which includes sequentially arranged chain links (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, . . . ) and in which adjacent chain links (10-20, 20-30, 30-40, 40-50, . . . ) are rotatably attached to one another about a rotational axis common to both chain links (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, . . . ), and all rotational axes (11, 21, 31, 41, 51) of the chain transporter system are extend parallel to one other, wherein at least some of the chain links (10, 50, 90, . . . ) are adapted (10-12, 50-52, 90-92, . . . ) in such manner that a mounting part (13, 53, 93) is attachable to each, characterised in that the attachment of the respective mounting part (13, 53, 93, . . . ) to the respective adapted chain link (10-12, 50-52, 90-92, . . . ) is created by means of a positive locking connection between a connection area (13 a, 13 b, 13 c, . . . ) of mounting part (13, . . . ) and a connection area (12 a, 12 b, 12 c, . . . ) of the adapted chain link (10-12, . . . ).
 2. The chain transporter system according to claim 1, characterised in that one mounting part is attached to each of the at least some chain links (10, 50, 90).
 3. The chain transporter system according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the connection area (12 a, 12 b, 12 c, . . . ) of the adapted chain link (10-12, . . . ) is a counterpart recess for the connection area (13 a, 13 b, 13 c, . . . ) of the mounting part (13, . . . ).
 4. The chain transporter system according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the recess is a groove-type depression in the surface (12 d, 12 e) of the adapted chain link (10-12, . . . ) along a groove direction (N), wherein opposing walls of the groove, each furnished with an undercut (12 a, 12 b, . . . ) parallel to the surface (12 d, 12 e) of the adapted chain link (10-12, . . . ) and having a depth (t) perpendicular to the groove direction (N), extend in complementary fashion into the corresponding socket-like extensions (13 a, 13 b, . . . ) in the connection area of the mounting part (13, . . . ).
 5. The chain transporter system according to claim 4, characterised in that at least one of the two undercuts (12 a) has a undercut depth (t) perpendicular to the groove direction (N) that is less than the maximum flaring (Δa) of the groove's clearance (a) that can be attained by elastic distortion of the groove perpendicular to the groove direction (N).
 6. The chain transporter system according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that at least one of the undercuts (12 a) has the form of a concave rounding (12 a) in a section perpendicular to the groove direction (N) and the surface area of the adapted chain link (10-12) has the form of a convex rounding (12 f) above the undercut (12 a) in a section perpendicular to the groove direction (N), wherein the transition area (12 g) between the convex rounding (12 f) and the concave rounding (12 a) is the area of the groove wall projecting farthest into the groove opening perpendicularly to the groove direction (N).
 7. The chain transporter system according to claims 4 to 6, characterised in that at least one knob-like projection (12 c) and/or depression is provided in the floor of the recess that fits into and/or into which a corresponding counterpart depression (13 c) and/or stop boss fits in the connection area of the mounting piece (13).
 8. The chain transporter system according to claims 4 to 7, characterised in that at least one bulging projection and/or one depression is provided in the floor of the recess which extends in a direction not parallel to the groove direction (N).
 9. The chain transporter system according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the adapted chain links (10-12, 50-52, 90-92, . . . ) each consist of a regular chain link (10, 50, 90) and an adapter element (12, 52, 92, . . . ) positively engaged therewith, which adapter element is conformed such that the mounting part (13, 53, 93) is attachable thereto.
 10. The chain transporter system according to claim 9, characterised in that the adapter element (12, 52, 92, . . . ) is positively engaged with pins (14, 15) projecting on both sides of the respective adapted chain link (10-12, 50-52, 90-92, . . . ) of the chain.
 11. The chain transporter system according to claim 10, characterised in that perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction (K) of the chain, the adapter element (12) has an essentially U-shaped cross-section with a crosspiece (12 h) and two legs (12 i, 12 j) angled essentially perpendicularly therefrom, wherein the U-shaped adapter element (12) clasps the respective chain link (10) in positive locking engagement.
 12. The chain transporter system according to claim 11, characterised in that the legs (12 i, 12 j) have at least one recess or hole (12 k) on the insides thereof facing the chain link (10), in which the at least one projecting pin (14, 15) of the respective chain link is form-fitted.
 13. The chain transporter system according to claim 12, characterised in that the end area of the legs (12 i, 12 j) of the adapter element (12) are tapered on the inside facing the chain link by a surface (12 l) inclined towards the leg extremity.
 14. The chain transporter system according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mounting part (13) is an angle element in which the first angled leg includes the connection area (13 a, 13 b, 13 c) of the mounting part (13), and the second angled leg (13 d) extends at an angle (γ) to the first angled leg.
 15. The chain transporter system according to claim 14, characterised in that the first angled leg engages positively with the adapted chain link (10-12) in such manner that the inside surface (13 e) of the first angled leg is flush with the surface (12 d, 12 e) of the adapted chain link (10-12).
 16. A system for securing mounting parts to a transporter chain, wherein one mounting part (13, 53, 93, . . . ) each is attached to a selected chain link (10, 50, 90, . . . ), characterised in that each mounting part (13, 53, 93, . . . ) is attached to the respective selected chain link (10, 50, 90, . . . ) using an adapter element (12, 52, 92, . . . ).
 17. The system according to claim 16, characterised in that the mounting part (13, 53, 93, . . . ) is in positive engagement with pins (14, 15) projecting on both sides of the respective chain link (10, 50, 90, . . . ).
 18. The system according to claim 16 or 17, characterised in that the adapter element (12, 52, 92) has an essentially U-shaped cross-section perpendicularly to the chain's longitudinal direction (K), with a crosspiece (12 h) and two legs (12 i, 12 j) angled essentially perpendicularly to the crosspiece, wherein the U-shaped adapter element (12, 52, 92) clasps the respective chain link (10, 50, 90) in positive engagement.
 19. The system according to any of claims 16 to 18, characterised in that the legs (12 i, 12 j) have at least one recess or hole (12 k) on the insides thereof facing the chain link (10), in which the at least one projecting pin (14, 15) of the respective chain link (10) is form-fitted.
 20. The system according to any of claims 16 to 19, characterised in that at the end area thereof, the legs (12 i, 12 j) are tapered on an inside surface facing the chain link by a surface (12 l) inclined towards the leg extremity.
 21. The system according to any of claims 16 to 20, characterised in that the mounting part (13) is connected to adapter element (12) via a positive locking engagement between a connection area (13 a, 13 b, 13 c) of the mounting part (13) and a connection area (12 a, 12 b, 12 c) of the adapter element (12).
 22. The system according to claims 16 to 21, characterised in that the connection area (12 a, 12 b, 12 c) of the adapter element (12) has a recess matching the connection area (13 a, 13 b, 13 c) of the mounting part (13).
 23. The system according to any of claims 16 to 22, characterised in that the recess is a groove type depression in the surface (12 d, 12 e), of the adapter element (12) along a groove direction (N), wherein opposing groove walls are each furnished with an undercut (12 a, 12 b) parallel to the surface (12 d, 12 e) of the adapter element (12) and having a depth (t) perpendicular to the groove direction (N), in which corresponding socket-type enlargements (13 a, 13 b) in the connection area of the mounting part (13) engage mutually.
 24. The system according to any of claims 16 to 23, characterised in that at least one of the two undercuts (12 a) has an undercut depth (t) perpendicular to the groove direction (N) that is less than the maximum flaring (Δa) of the groove's clearance (a) that can be attained by elastic distortion of the groove perpendicular to the groove direction (N).
 25. The system according to any of claims 16 to 24, characterised in that at least one of the undercuts (12 a) has the form of a concave rounding (12 a) in a section perpendicular to the groove direction (N) and the surface area of the adapter element (12) above the undercut (12 a) has a convex rounding (12 f) in a section perpendicular to the groove direction (N), wherein the transition area (g) between the convex rounding (f) and the concave rounding (a) is the area of the groove wall projecting farthest into the groove opening perpendicularly to the groove direction (N).
 26. The system according to any of claims 16 to 25, characterised in that at least one projection (12 c) and/or one depression is provided in the floor of the recess of the adapter element (12), which fits into or is fitted by a corresponding matching depression (13 c) or projection and in the connection area of the mounting part (13).
 27. The system according to any of claims 16 to 25, characterised in that at least one knob-type projection and/or a depression is provided in the floor of the recess of the adapter element (12), which extends in a direction not parallel to the groove direction (N).
 28. The system according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mounting part (13) is an angled element, in which the first angled leg is the connection area (13 a, 13 b, 13 c) of the mounting part (13) and the second angled leg (13 d) extends at an angle (γ) to the first angled leg (13 a, 13 b, 13 c).
 29. The system according to claim 28, characterised in that the first angled leg engages positively with the adapter element (12), such that the inside surface (13 e) of the first angled leg is flush with the upper surface (12 d, 12 e) of the adapter element (12).
 30. The chain transporter system according to any of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that it is usable in chocolate processing, particularly in the area of cooling lines and/or heating lines.
 31. The system for securing mounting parts to a transporter chain according to any of claims 16 to 29, characterised in that it is usable in chocolate-processing, particularly in the area of cooling lines and/or heating lines. 